A Boeing 747 Freighter aircraft has crashed near Kyrgyzstan’s Manas airport, killing at least 32 people, most of them residents of a village struck by the Boeing 747 as it tried to land in dense fog, Kyrgyz officials said.
According to the airport administration, the plane was operating flight TK6491, a freighter service on behalf of Turkish Airlines on its way from Hong Kong to Istanbul, and was supposed to make a stopover at Manas, 25km north of capital Bishkek,
ACT Airlines, the aircraft operator, said in a statement:
“We are deeply saddened to report that an accident happened during the flight from Hong Kong to Bishkek operated by one of our Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft, registered TC-MCL, at 01:20Z.
“The cause of the accident is unknown at this time and further details will be provided as they become available”.
Turkish Airlines said:
“Our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic incident involving an ACT Airlines aircraft in Kyrgyzstan”.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing said in a statement:
“Boeing extends its deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in the Flight TK6491 accident near Manas Airport Kyrgyzstan, operated by ACT Airlines, as well as its wishes for the recovery of those injured. A Boeing technical team stands ready to provide assistance at the request and under the direction of government investigating authorities”.
Manas Airport METARs at the time of the accident:
UCFM 160200Z VRB01MPS 0150 R26/0375N FZFG VV001 M09/M11 Q1024 R26/19//60 TEMPO 0100 FZFG UCFM 160130Z VRB01MPS 0150 R26/0550 FZFG VV001 M09/M10 Q1024 R26/19//60 NOSIG UCFM 160100Z VRB01MPS 0050 R26/0300N FZFG VV001 M09/M10 Q1023 R26/19//60 NOSIG UCFM 160030Z VRB01MPS 0100 R26/0375 FZFG VV001 M09/M11 Q1023 R26/19//60 NOSIG